At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a specialist team supporting adults with learning disabilities and manage complex cases.
- Company: Join a supportive council dedicated to social work excellence in Brighton & Hove.
- Benefits: Ongoing professional development, flexible working, wellbeing support, and pension.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for leadership and collaboration across various sectors.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping service delivery and practice.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and professional registration required.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
This permanent Senior Social Work Practitioner post sits in SCDS Pod 3, a specialist team for adults aged 25 and over with a learning disability. The post-holder supports the Service Manager in running the team day to day, leading and developing social workers and taking on complex, high-risk cases. The work covers Care Act and Mental Capacity Act duties, Section 42 safeguarding enquiries and working with housing, health and criminal justice partners.
What the job involves:
- Day-to-day operational management of the service, including allocation of work, caseload oversight, safe staffing and service delivery.
- Line managing and supervising social workers and other practitioners, including their development, performance and wellbeing.
- Leading on complex, high-risk cases, giving expert advice, decisions and oversight.
- Ensuring the team meets statutory duties under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Overseeing Section 42 enquiries and risk management for people experiencing significant harm or self-neglect.
- Managing delegated budgets, balancing individual outcomes with financial accountability.
- Monitoring team performance against key performance indicators, using data, audit and feedback to drive improvement.
- Building and maintaining partnerships with housing, health, criminal justice and voluntary sector organisations.
- Contributing to service development, practice improvement and a learning culture, including mentoring, coaching and supporting newly qualified staff and students.
Qualifications:
- Social Work qualification, or relevant AHP or nursing qualification.
Registration & licences:
- Professional registration (Social Work England for social workers).
Experience:
- Significant experience working with adults with complex needs, including mental health, homelessness and substance use.
- Experience supervising staff, managing performance and supporting professional development in a high-pressure environment.
- Proven ability to manage and advise on complex cases, including risk assessment and safeguarding.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and building effective partnerships.
- Confidence managing resources, including staff and budgets.
Skills & knowledge:
- Strong working knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding frameworks and relevant housing legislation.
- Excellent communication and IT skills, including recording, reporting and using data to improve practice.
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
Checks & eligibility:
- DBS check, as the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
What's offered:
- Access to ongoing professional development, including leadership, supervision and specialist training.
- Supportive environment that values reflective practice, collaboration and continuous learning.
- Opportunities to lead practice and shape service delivery.
- Opportunities to contribute to service development and wider system change across Brighton & Hove.
- Flexible working arrangements, agreed with manager.
- Wellbeing support, leave and pension, detailed on the council's Why work for us pages.
Senior Social Work Practitioner SCDS in England employer: Brighton and Hove City Council
Brighton and Hove City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive apprenticeship programme that allows you to gain hands-on experience across various teams in Parking Services. With a commitment to inclusivity and professional development, you'll have the opportunity to enhance your customer service skills while contributing to the community in a vibrant coastal city known for its diverse culture and welcoming atmosphere.
Contact Details:
Brighton and Hove City Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Work Practitioner SCDS in England
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Brighton and Hove City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Brighton and Hove City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Brighton and Hove City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Brighton and Hove City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Work Practitioner SCDS in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Brighton and Hove City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Brighton and Hove City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brighton and Hove City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
